Aboriginal Health Program Manager
Renee Owen
Ph: 4215 2126
Email: renee.owen@barwonhealth.org.au
9.00am – 5.00pm Monday – Friday
The Aboriginal Health Liaison Officers offer support to First Nations people on their journey through Barwon Health. Aboriginal Health Liaison Officers can help people understand and respect the needs of First Nations people to ensure a culturally appropriate experience at Barwon Health.
AHLOs are available to all First Nations people accessing Barwon Health services to:
- Provide the client with cultural and social support
- Attend appointments or medical reviews and assist patients to understand medical information and services
- Advocate for clients and ensure medical and nursing staff understand the client’s cultural needs
- Provide support to the client’s family
- Connect the client with other services in the community
- Explore different care options available to the client
- Support discharge planning and processes
Renee Howell
Renee an Arrernte woman from Central Australia is well known and well-respected within the local Aboriginal community. Renee has extensive experience in Aboriginal Child Protection and women’s and children’s health and holds a Diploma of Community Services.
Ph: 4215 0768
Mobile: 0435 181 213
Email: renee.howell@barwonhealth.org.au
8.00am – 4.00pm Monday – Friday
Kristin Krake – Aboriginal Health Liaison Officer (AHLO)
Tel: 4215 0769 Mobile: 0435 181 213
email: kristin.krake@barwonhealth.org.au 9.00am – 5.00pm Monday – Friday
Talara Harrison – Aboriginal Health Liaison Officer (AHLO)
Tel: 4215 0532 Mobile: 0401 140 808
email: talara.harrison@barwonhealth.org.au 8.00am – 4.00pm Monday – Wednesday
Lexie Morrison – Aboriginal Youth Mental Health Liaison Officer (AYMHLO)
Tel: 4215 2127 Mobile: 0478 267 784
email: alexandrina.morrison@barwonhealth.org.au 8.30am – 4.30pm Monday – Friday
K-M Valentine – Koorie Mental Health Liaison Officer (KMHLO)
Tel: 4215 2128 Mobile: 0466 378 409
email: kylie-margaret.valentine@barwonhealth.org.au
Aboriginal Health Policy and Projects
Adam Muir – Aboriginal Health Policy and Projects Officer
Tel: 4215 2129
email: adam.muir@barwonhealth.org.au 8.30am – 4.30pm Monday – Friday. (alternate Mondays).
Aboriginal Workforce Officer
Vacant – Koorie Workforce Officer
The Aboriginal Health Policy and Projects Team work to develop programs, projects, services and policies that aim to improve First Nations Health and wellbeing. The officers are responsible for co-ordinating face to face Cultural Training throughout the organisation, and for the facilitation of Cultural events and Cultural education opportunities. The team work closely with clinical teams such as Audiology, Dermatology, Maternity Services and Ophthalmology for the enhancement of Aboriginal access to clinics. Current Projects include:
- ‘Asking the Question’ Resource Kit Project
- Geelong Region Aboriginal Eye Health Advisory Group
- Geelong Region Aboriginal Ear Health Advisory Group
- Byerrngitj Events Co-ordination
Adam Muir
Adam, a Yorta Yorta / Taungurung man, is responsible for Commissioning and Procurement, Data and Information management, Information Communication Technology development, Staff Rostering and payment, face to face Asking the Question of Origin Training, and for the facilitation of Cultural events and Cultural education opportunities. He works closely with clinical teams such as Audiology, Maternity Services, and Ophthalmology for the establishment of Aboriginal access clinics at Barwon Health. Adam is a Microsoft 365 Super User and has over 25 years’ experience working with First Nations Australians and holds a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology and Sociology).
Ph: 4215 2123
Email: adam.muir@barwonhealth.org.au
8.30am – 4.00pm Monday – Friday (alternate Mondays) .
The Koorie Mental Health Liaison Officer (KMHLO) is able to provide culturally appropriate support from triage to discharge for inpatients experiencing mental health issues and patients accessing Emergency Department. The KMHLO is able to provide advocacy and support during business hours to Aboriginal patients and their families and cultural advice and support to Barwon Health staff and clinicians within the Acute Health setting.
The KMHLO is available to all Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people accessing Barwon Health services to:
- Provide culturally sensitive support alongside medical staff,
- Engage other social and emotional supports for patients during admission,
- Develop cultural care plans with inpatients, and
- Connect patients with appropriate services in the community prior to discharge.
K-M Valentine
K-M’s work as a Koorie mental health liaison officer involves providing cultural support to mental health consumer inpatients. This involves creating rapport with mob and assessing their needs, helping to assess problems and find solutions. As part of the therapy teams work in Swanston Centre, art is created with consumers, cooking, gardening or just having a yarn. K-M has a fine art and counselling background, so that part of the job leans into those skills.
Tel: 4215 2128
Mobile: 0466 378 409
email: kylie-margaret.valentine@barwonhealth.org.au
8.00am – 4.00pm Monday – Friday
The Aboriginal Workforce Officer (AWO) oversees the implementation of the Aboriginal Employment Plan and has regular contact with all Aboriginal employees and their Supervisors and Managers, acting as a cultural consultant and mentor. The AWO also actively encourages prospective work areas within Barwon Health to engage Aboriginal jobseekers and supports local Aboriginal community in regards to recruitment, workplace wellbeing and professional development.
The AWO will be notified when there has been an application from someone who identifies as Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. The AWO will get in contact with Hiring Managers and there is an expectation that they are continually updated with the status of their application.
As per the Recruitment and Selection Policy all interview panels with Aboriginal applicants should include an Aboriginal panel member from Barwon Health, Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative or another organisation in the Geelong region. The AWO or the Aboriginal Health Program Manager should be consulted to ensure that there is a relevant person able to attend the interviews.
Cultural Toolkit for Hiring Managers.pdf
Page last updated: October 28, 2025